Monday, December 19, 2011

"Team America": When Freedom Hung By A Thread

Making news again is the puppet feature "Team America: World Police", the 2004 action comedy, written by "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, with Pam Brady.

The satire of big-budget action films and their associated clichés, was directed by Parker, using marionette puppets reminiscent of Gerry Anderson's "Thunderbirds" 'supermarionation' process.

Particular emphasis was given to the global implications of US politics with North Korea, as 'Team America' , a fictional team of political paramilitary policemen known as the 'World Police', attempt to save the world from a violent terrorist plot led by Kim Jong-il.

Released in 2004, "Team America" grossed over $51 million worldwide, with the DVD released in both R-rated and Unrated versions.

Before the film's release, the filmmakers fought with the Motion Picture Association of America, who returned the film over nine times with an NC-17 rating, mainly because of a graphic 'puppet-sex' scene, until the film was recut by a few seconds and rated R.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Team America"...